From Rags to Riches: Ranking the Main Characters of Breaking Bad by Their Wealth

Summary

Money was a driving force for most of the main characters in Breaking Bad, influencing their decisions and actions, even when it didn't pay off in the end.

Walter White's net worth experienced a notable surge during his journey in Breaking Bad. Initially driven by the desire to secure his family's financial future, Walter ultimately transformed into a formidable drug lord, amassing great wealth and gaining immense respect in the process.

The characters in Breaking Bad displayed a readiness to embrace dangers and make substantial sacrifices in their relentless pursuit of riches. While some individuals managed to accumulate substantial sums of money, others ultimately lost everything they had.

Breaking Bad revolves around the corrupting influence of absolute power on a man determined to continue selling drugs despite amassing great wealth. However, what were the actual net worths of the characters in Breaking Bad? Walter "Walt" White, also known as Heisenberg, once told Jesse, who was impressed by a mere $5 million, "I'm not in the meth business, I am in the empire business." Initially driven by a need to secure his family's future in case of his cancer's return, Walt's pursuit of money soon turned into an obsession. In the first season, a stash of cash seemed staggering to Walt, but by the fifth season, he yearned for stacks of hundred-dollar bills in a storage unit.

Nonetheless, money was not Walt's sole ambition. His ego spurred him on to become one of the most notorious drug lords in history. Money, however, remained a motivating factor for most of the main characters in the AMC series, including Mike Ehrmantraut, Saul Goodman, and even Skyler, who developed a taste for it later in the fifth season. While some characters succeeded in their pursuit of wealth, others did not, but they never stopped striving, despite facing numerous setbacks.

15 Hank Schrader

According to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS), law enforcement officers employed by federal government agencies receive a median salary of approximately $65,000 per annum. Given Hank's role as not just a regular DEA field agent but as a special agent overseeing other officers, it is expected that his annual earnings would be at least $100,000. This income largely provided Hank and his family with a comfortable living, but there were challenges. Primarily, following the Breaking Bad shooting incident involving The Cousins, Hank faced difficulties in covering his hospital expenses, leading Slyker to compel Walt into taking responsibility for his brother-in-law's medical bills.

14 Skyler White

Skyler's strong work ethic was recognized by Ted Beneke, who acknowledged the negative impact her absence had on his company. It can be inferred that she excelled as a bookkeeper, ranking in the top 10% at Beneke Fabricators. According to Payscale, top-tier bookkeepers in the United States earn approximately $111,000 per year. Despite the promising income, Skyler's tenure at the company was short-lived. At the beginning of the series, she chose to resign and relied on eBay sales to sustain herself. Subsequently, she found employment at the Breaking Bad A1A Car Wash. As the series unfolded, Skyler faced financial setbacks, resulting in the loss of her assets and a move to a modest apartment with her children. Simultaneously, she took on the role of a taxi dispatcher to make ends meet.

13 Jesse Pinkman

If it weren't for the former chemistry teacher, Jesse would still be a small-time dealer. By the end of Breaking Bad season 1, he had earned $117,000, surpassing his previous criminal earnings. In Season 4, he received his largest payout of $5 million from selling his methylamine stash. However, Saul Goodman deducted his share for the services rendered. Jesse also acquired his parents' house for $400,000, which contributed to his overall net worth. In Season 5, Jesse took on the role of Santa Claus by dispersing bundles of cash on the streets. In El Camino, he found himself lacking $250,000 when he urgently needed to pay Ed Galbraith, also known as The Disappearer.

12 Nacho Varga

Despite mingling with high-ranking gangsters who boasted daily profits in the thousands, Nacho occupied a relatively modest position within the cartel hierarchy portrayed in Better Call Saul. Although his luxury attire and extravagant watches hinted at a considerable income, Nacho lacked substantial assets to prove his financial success. However, he did possess substantial amounts of cash, as evidenced by his willingness to offer Daniel $20,000 for seemingly worthless capsules resembling Hector Salamanca's medication. Additionally, Nacho occasionally assisted his father at the family's garage, although this appeared to be more of a favor than a lucrative venture.

11 Kim Wexler

10 Mike Ehrmantraut

Kim Wexler's exact net worth is difficult to determine due to her mixed reactions when presented with $100,000 by Jimmy. Despite this, Kim held a prominent position at a renowned law firm in Albuquerque before transitioning to work directly for Mesa Verde. Considering her rate of $250 per hour and a potential 60-hour workweek, her weekly earnings could have reached up to $15,000, resulting in an annual salary exceeding $700,000. However, similar to Jimmy, Kim likely had little of this money remaining by the end of Better Call Saul.

As Gus Fring's most trusted henchman, Mike was undoubtedly one of the highest-paid individuals on his payroll. Given the perilous nature of his assignments for the affluent drug kingpin, it is safe to assume that Mike earned a minimum of $100,000 each month. Additionally, let us not forget that in Breaking Bad, Mike made a substantial fortune of $5 million through the sale of his share of methylamine following his boss's demise. Furthermore, Mike also undertook undisclosed private investigative work for Saul, which undoubtedly added to his financial gains. conservatively estimating, Mike accrued around $7 million during his tenure in Breaking Bad alone, and any unclaimed funds by the DEA were directed towards securing the future of his granddaughter.

9 Saul Goodman

One of the initial inquiries Walt received from Saul was regarding the awareness of his hourly rate. This insinuated that Saul charged a considerable amount to his clients. He demanded a staggering $4650 to handle the Badger case. Saul's office was consistently occupied, indicating that he was likely the most sought-after attorney in Albuquerque. Prior to encountering Walt and Jesse, Saul had dealt with numerous other drug kingpins. In Better Call Saul, Saul invoiced Lalo $100,000 solely for collecting a stack of cash. Considering his extravagant mansion showcased in season 6 of the spinoff, Saul's net worth could easily reach tens of millions. However, his fate took a drastic turn when he ultimately ended up with nothing after receiving an 86-year prison sentence in Better Call Saul.

8 Uncle Jack

Initially leading a white supremacist gang, Uncle Jack's primary income was derived from carrying out assassinations. His notoriety attracted lucrative offers, such as the task of executing prison killings within a minute, for which Walter paid a substantial sum. In the fifth season of Breaking Bad, Uncle Jack amassed a staggering $70 million by forcefully seizing Walt's seven barrels of cash. Despite residing luxuriously in his vast compound, this colossal fortune still did not satisfy him, as demonstrated by his insistence on having Jesse produce meth.

7 Walter White

In terms of wealth, Walter experienced a series of financial ups and downs throughout his life. His most lucrative period was during his employment with Gustavo Fring, where he earned an impressive $2 million within just three months of work. However, being a mere employee did not suffice for Walter, as he went on to establish his own empire in Breaking Bad season 5, amassing a staggering $80 million solely for himself. Unfortunately, a large portion of this fortune was pilfered by Jack, although he did leave Walter with a considerate sum of $10 million. Even during his lowest moments, Walter managed to maintain a substantial amount of money. During his time in hiding, he did use some funds for necessary supplies, but upon returning to Albuquerque, he entrusted Gretchen with $9 million to be given to his family.

6 Tuco Salamanca

Tuco, the leader of the Albuquerque operations for the Juarez Cartel, held a prominent position as a high-earning individual. According to a 2018 Reuters report, the top-tier Mexican cartel generates an impressive $20 billion in gross revenue annually. After considering operational costs of approximately $5 billion, the net profit amounts to a staggering $15 billion. In the television series Breaking Bad, the Juarez Cartel played a significant role as one of Mexico's major criminal organizations. Given Tuco's responsibility for a vital region that contributed substantially to the cartel's income, it is reasonable to assume his annual cut would surpass $500 million. Although his demise occurred in Season 2, he had been involved in the illicit activities for a significant number of years, implying the accumulation of a substantial amount of wealth.

5 Howard Hamlin

Howard Hamlin is a named partner of one of the biggest law firms in Albuquerque, and his luxurious wardrobe and exclusive club memberships come at a hefty price. It's fairly easy to determine Howard's approximate net worth down to the last dollar. Howard disclosed that he paid Chuck a total of $8 million out of his own pocket, and for the initial payment, he handed over $3 million. This caused Howard to jokingly claim that he was broke due to the hefty payments. Nevertheless, Howard still possessed his substantial ownership stake in the law firm, which was likely valued in the millions.

4 Lydia Rodarte-Quayle

As the Head of Logistics at Madrigal Electromotive GmbH, Lydia Rodarte-Quayle held a prominent position in a global company valued at billions of dollars. This not only ensured a substantial income for Lydia but also provided insights into the company's vast operations. With 114,000 employees under its umbrella and investments in over 100 businesses, Madrigal Electromotive GmbH was a powerhouse.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Lydia played a major role in Gus Fring's meth operation, along with Peter Schuler. This partnership not only bolstered her financial standing but also allowed her to earn a significant share from the drug sales. Unlike many other characters in Breaking Bad who encountered financial setbacks, Lydia proved to be extremely successful and adept at her craft. It is likely that she amassed millions of dollars prior to her introduction in season 5.

3 Lalo Salamanca

Lalo's enigmatic nature makes him the most mysterious character in Better Call Saul, shrouding his true worth in uncertainty. Nonetheless, there are telltale signs indicating his possession of an inexhaustible source of wealth. As the overseer of the cartel's illicit operations in Mexico, Lalo's compound surpasses even Don Eladio's in grandeur and opulence. Astonishingly, Lalo can effortlessly procure millions of dollars in cash at a moment's notice, treating it as if it were mere pocket change. While the origins of this wealth might be tied to his family, Lalo undeniably holds abundant access to this fortune.

2 Don Eladio

Don Eladio's role may not be immediately apparent, but he functions much like a CEO in an organization. Being the architect of the empire, he receives a substantial portion of the profits generated by any member of the cartel. Eladio resides in a colossal mansion, surrounded by innumerable servants, and lives an opulent existence beyond imagination. Not only does he possess an unimaginable amount of wealth, given his position at the apex of the hierarchy, but he also commands immense respect, receiving lavish gifts from anyone who has the privilege of meeting him, including luxurious sports cars. Compared to Eladio's vast net worth, Heisenberg's staggering $80 million would merely be a drop in the ocean.

1 Gus Fring

Walt and Jesse accomplished the remarkable feat of producing $96 million worth of methamphetamine for Gus Fring within a mere three-month period. It is noteworthy that Walt's meth boasted an impressive purity level of 99%, rendering it exceedingly valuable. Even prior to joining forces with Walt, assuming his previous, less pure product yielded him around $70 million every three months, Gus would still rake in a staggering $280 million annually. It is essential to acknowledge that a substantial portion of his earnings would have been reinvested into the business to establish the laboratory. Apart from meth, it should be noted that Gus derived income from other ventures, primarily utilizing Los Pollos Hermanos as a means to launder money. Consequently, Gus comfortably ranks as the wealthiest character in Breaking Bad.